Government shutdown: Bobby Jindal blames ‘leaders across the board’

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal cast blame for the federal government shutdown broadly across Washington on Wednesday, declaring that “leaders across the board” have failed to deliver for the American people.

In a briefing for reporters at the Republican Governors Association headquarters this evening, Jindal announced that RGA would be launching digital ads tomorrow touting the work of GOP governors in pioneering “conservative solutions” in the states — a sharp difference from the current gridlock in D.C.

“I think the American people look at what’s happening in D.C. and see that leaders across the board are not doing what they were elected to do,” Jindal said, lamenting that national politicians — and, chiefly, President Barack Obama — were “not solving the big challenges, the structural challenges, facing our country.”

Jindal, a potential 2016 White House contender, repeatedly declined to say how much blame he apportions to Congress in general, or House Republicans in particular. He said that he shares the congressional GOP’s firm opposition to the Affordable Care Act, and that only “structural changes” to the legislative branch of government will produce better results for voters.

The sweeping changes he suggested included a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, term limits for members of Congress, a part-time legislature and a legislative supermajority to either raise taxes or increase spending at a rate faster than population growth.

“All of Washington, D.C., is dysfunctional,” he said. “It’s not just a matter of who’s in leadership or personalities or who’s in power.”

Jindal’s broad discourse on the shutdown – like his larger sales pitch about Republican governors — was a case study in the political advantage ambitious GOP governors have over their potential 2016 rivals in Washington when it comes to the current spending standoff. Without prescribing any particular solutions for the shutdown, governors stand to gain by comparison with the mess in the nation’s capital.

“As governors, we’re no longer content to outsource the definition of our brand, or what it means to be a Republican, to Washington, D.C.,” he added.

The RGA digital campaign that begins Thursday is dubbed the American Comeback Campaign and will eventually include video appearances by all of the country’s 30 GOP governors, Jindal said.

The first video features Govs. John Kasich of Ohio, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Jindal himself touting accomplishments in their home states and reciting variations on the phrase: “Republican governors are the ones who are driving America’s comeback.”

“We’ve got to shift attention away from Washington, D.C., to the state capitals,” said Jindal. “That’s where the rubber’s hitting the road. That’s where you can see measurable results.”

Though he pointed to conservative governance in the states as a sign of the GOP’s overall health, the Louisiana Republican suggested reporters should not go too far in drawing in “all kinds of generalizations” from next month’s gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia.

In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie is expected to win reelection easily, while Virginia GOP nominee Ken Cuccinelli is now viewed as an underdog in the race against former national Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe.

“Each election involves local issues, involves particular candidates,” Jindal said. “I think Terry has disqualified himself with some of his antics.”

Asked if the RGA would continue to spend money in Virginia over the next month, Jindal said he has a general policy of not discussing spending in advance. The RGA has spent nearly $7 million in the race so far, compared with $5.2 million the committee spent during the 2009 race that ended in outgoing Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell’s victory.

“We’ve made significant investments to date,” Jindal said. “I think we’ll do well in Virginia.”

The RGA spent about $40 million collectively electing those four in 2010, half the association’s overall spending.

The group is targeting a second tier of races that includes four states in which GOP incumbents don’t yet face serious challengers: Nevada’s Brian Sandoval, New Mexico’s Martinez, Iowa’s Terry Branstad and Wisconsin’s Walker.

Committee leaders hope to play offense against a handful of Democratic incumbents: Illinois’ Pat Quinn, Connecticut’s Dannel Malloy and Colorado’s John Hickenlooper. They are also eyeing a pickup in Arkansas, where Gov. Mike Beebe is term-limited, and express confidence about the chances of Massachusetts Republican Charlie Baker (who lost a three-way race by 6 points in 2010).

Republicans are defending several governorships in states carried by Obama last year, but turnout will be lower than in the presidential election and the president’s popularity has dropped off.

Jindal attacked Obama for trying to play the role of “victim-in-chief,” blaming others instead of solving problems.

“He likes to play the role of victim. … That’s not very presidential,” said Jindal. “This president apparently has time to golf. I wish he’d find time to work with Congress.”